Oh no, I've done a Jimmy!

[rafiki_]

not familiar with the key you're talking about,

Vas, most new cars have proximity keyless entry and connectivity with the vehicle body control module. A real pain, as there is then no where to insert, so you are left with them rattling around the car, pocket or man bag. This is another example of a solution to a problem that didn't exist. Your X3 I guess has a fob that slots into the dash? Great idea, at least you know where it is, and it doesn't disappear under a seat when you go around a corner!

Apologies for the Fred Rift.

 

[MapisM]

Apologies for the Fred Rift.

Apologies also from my part for following further, but since you are inside automotive things, I always wondered why nobody ever thought to get rid of the keys altogether, and just use the NFC functionality which is nowadays available in most smartphones.

Glad to share the royalties, if you think it's worth patenting the idea and sell it to your clients!

 

[CharlieAlpha]

Apologies also from my part for following further, but since you are inside automotive things, I always wondered why nobody ever thought to get rid of the keys altogether, and just use the NFC functionality which is nowadays available in most smartphones.

Glad to share the royalties, if you think it's worth patenting the idea and sell it to your clients!

I wouldn't mind betting more smartphones go overboard than car keys

 

[prv]

Apologies also from my part for following further, but since you are inside automotive things, I always wondered why nobody ever thought to get rid of the keys altogether, and just use the NFC functionality which is nowadays available in most smartphones.

Glad to share the royalties, if you think it's worth patenting the idea and sell it to your clients!

You can't patent something that Tesla's been doing for years now

Pete

 

[prv]

Read the description of the sea searcher Pete, it's not a bad bit of kit to have.

I bought mine in a hurry to rescue a brand new and very expensive anchor . So they can certainly lift some heavy things.

I keep it, with its keeper plate on, way up in the bow of the boat well away from any compasses.

Pete

 

[Robin]

I wouldn't mind betting more smartphones go overboard than car keys

Best place for the abominable things

 

[MapisM]

You can't patent something that Tesla's been doing for years now

Doh! Next thing you'll tell me that PayPal has already been invented...?!?

Btw, I recently tried a Model S of a friend of mine, but I didn't even notice.
I suppose he had his mobile with him, as I didn't have to do anything to turn the thing on...

 

[rafiki_]

Apologies also from my part for following further, but since you are inside automotive things, I always wondered why nobody ever thought to get rid of the keys altogether, and just use the NFC functionality which is nowadays available in most smartphones.

Glad to share the royalties, if you think it's worth patenting the idea and sell it to your clients!

I was going to say that this assumes you haven't dunked your phone in the briny (as it did a couple of months ago ) but I note someone got there before me. Actually I have to confess to being attached to the phone when it got dunked, so recovery wasn't an issue, but it didn't like the water.

 

[kennyh]

As others have said I can't see a proximity key working after its had a dunk. The skeleton bit might get me into the car but I don't believe it would start the engine.

I (well actually my wife) dropped a Mazda set of keys over the side at my marina. Went and bought one of those big magnets the next day, and managed to pull them from the mud.

Amazingly they worked perfectly after 24hrs at 3metres (all be it in fresh water).

 

[Mr Googler]

Jag or land rover for the next company car......



Activity key wrist band

 

[petem]

You might think this saga is over however this morning I went to collect the new spare key from the (awesome new) BMW place in Cheltenham. Unfortunately key won't sync with the car so I need to leave the car with them for up to THREE days for them to find a solution. The earliest they can supply a courtesy car is the end of October. So I now need to hire a car for three days.

You couldn't make it up!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

If it's only the spare key, why don't you either just wait for a bit, or take it to a different dealer? (I realise this is very non mobo, so maybe we should be in the lounge with this thread now...)

 

[rafiki_]

Our "friends" from the east (even further than Essex) are really keen on UK exports, usually Bimmers, Mercs and Landies. Hence the manufacturers have been "told" by the ABI to sort this out, and make then harder to steal. One of the downsides is that bonafide users like yourself have a bigger problem getting spare keys.

 

[petem]

If it's only the spare key, why don't you either just wait for a bit, or take it to a different dealer? (I realise this is very non mobo, so maybe we should be in the lounge with this thread now...)

Next nearest dealer is now in a different county (36 miles away). Anyhow, I'm hoping that a hire car can be delivered to me FoC so not too much hassle.

But a lesson to be learned for others....

 

[petem]

Our "friends" from the east (even further than Essex) are really keen on UK exports, usually Bimmers, Mercs and Landies. Hence the manufacturers have been "told" by the ABI to sort this out, and make then harder to steal. One of the downsides is that bonafide users like yourself have a bigger problem getting spare keys.

Does make you wonder how these things will work when the car is 10 years old and owners are trying to avoid the dealer network.

 

[rafiki_]

Don't worry Pete, you will be able buy a gizmo off E Bay for 30 bob :encouragement:

 

[silverdee]

so far this year dived in marina for
1-lift out railing
2-anchor roller (dropped when fitting)
3-tangled slime line in stab fin.
4-out of marina -broken dive ladder fell off
5-tag watch- not found-ouch.
I need to keep dive kit on boat or become less clumsy (Actually others dropped all those items) oh and a set of keys for JFM- wrecked by seawater yes £250 + hassle.
If I grumble no one listens.